Isaiah 62:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Conversely, those summoned from among the Greeks may feel bewildered by the unfamiliar teachings and the peculiar nature of the ministry, possibly recalling the outdated myths promulgated by their leaders, who have recorded ancient tales that mislead others, deceive themselves, and fill the world with diabolical ignorance. Yet, those vigilant sentinels and guardians of the mystery thwart the occasions of temptation, skillfully dismantling everything that contradicts the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. They rightly strive to purify thoughts, abolishing prideful aspirations toward divine knowledge and bringing every intellect into submission to Him. Thus, we observe the venerable Paul correcting the tempted Jews and admonishing the Gentile believers facing similar trials. To the Israelites, he declared, "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God" (1 Cor. 7:19). And again, he asserts, "I say unto you, if circumcision be of no value, Christ shall profit you nothing." Those who sought righteousness through the law became separated from Christ and fell from grace (Galatians 5:2, 4), while we have, through faith, obtained the assurance of justification. To those who converted from the Greeks, he warns, "You observe days, and months, and times, and years; I am afraid for you, lest I have labored in vain" (Gal. 4:10, 11). It is clear that they scatter stones, removing temptations for both Jews and Greeks alike. The "stones" on which some have stumbled may reference the vile and repulsive doctrines of heretical individuals; these unfortunate souls are mere babblers, maliciously conspiring against those who walk the path of righteousness and those easily swayed from the truth of the faith. The guardians also eliminate this from the confines of the church. By "walls," we refer to the steadfastness of true doctrines that even the gates of hell cannot prevail against. "You shall lift up a sign for the nations," He says.

He instructed the sentinels of Jerusalem, whom He previously commanded to be vigilant and to pray without ceasing, to enter through the gates of Jerusalem and prepare a path for the people. Some believe that this will be fulfilled in the last days when, after the full number of Gentiles has entered, Israel will be saved and return to the Lord. Others suppose it will be realized in the heavenly kingdom, a time of true joy where each person is rewarded according to their deeds, and they will behold the Lord not in His humiliated state, but as Judge, coming in the clouds accompanied by a host of angels to reward each according to their works.

However, regarding the initial coming, we can understand this as a command to the apostles and those sent forth by them, instructing them to enter through the gates that hell will not conquer and to remove all barriers so that the people can join the Church of the Savior without facing tribulation. Therefore, John also proclaimed in the wilderness, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, as Isaiah the prophet said, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight; every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low’” (John 1:2; Isaiah 40:3-4).

This thought is conveyed with a fresh expression—the stones are cleared by the diligent caretaker of the church who smooths the roughness in the hearts of the faithful. The same Baptist remarked that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones (Matt. 3:9). Alternatively, in the interpretation of the Seventy, he who distinguishes the believers from the non-believers removes the stones from the path. To prevent the Jews from presuming this pertains solely to them, it follows, “Raise up a banner for the nations and for the tribes of the Gentiles,” declaring that salvation is not limited to a narrow land but extends to the ends of the earth, so that the suffering of the Creator may be proclaimed universally.

Say, the daughter of Zion asserts, possibly because she descends from the Jews—referring to whom she expresses in the Song of Songs, “The sons of my mother are angry with me” (Song 1:5)—or perhaps as a daughter signifying that she has received an adopted name from God. For those who believe in Him are empowered to become children of God (John 1:12). What is it that the leaders and teachers are commanded to declare to the daughters of Zion? “Behold, your Savior is coming,” who is identified as Jesus in Hebrew. Thus, Gabriel instructed Joseph, “And you shall call His name Jesus; for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

This Savior is the ultimate judge of all believers, rewarding each according to their deeds: rewards for the righteous and eternal judgment for the unrighteous (Matthew 16). The Lord and Savior Himself will designate them, or, as described in Hebrew, the apostles and those sent will refer to them as the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord, saved by the blood of Christ. The city shall no longer be referred to as forsaken—as it once was by both Jews due to trade or renunciation and by Gentiles because of idolatry—but shall be called elrusa, in Hebrew, continually adopting new names reflective of its growth and the diversity of its virtues.

However, following His resurrection, He commanded them, "Come, teach all tongues" (Matthew 28:19). This directive is echoed in the words of the prophet: "Go My gates, and make a way for My people." This calls for the Apostles and their successors, the shepherds of the Church, to minister not only within the Church, where they affirm the faith of believers, but also outside its gates, reaching out to those who are estranged from the Church yet beckoned by the Lord to salvation.

As they extend the Gospel message to these individuals, the proclaimers of the Gospel must labor to clear the path to the Church from obstacles, which symbolize the removal of pervasive superstitions. Their adherence to these long-standing superstitions serves as a significant barrier to entering the gates of the Church, recognized as the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). It is the responsibility of the Gospel ministers to eliminate this barrier and to challenge this stubbornness. The focal point that the ministers urge the nations to gather around is the cross of Christ. Christ Himself imbued His cross and its teachings with the essence of a sign when He declared, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all things unto myself" (John 12:32).